Female Alpha

Chapter 4

Amelia gasped softly, she had to murder someone. It was one thing to kill in self-defense. She had scars from the teeth of rogues that she had defeated. She had fought for her pack, for her father. But to take a life was something different. She was no hit man; her heart wasn’t completely calloused.

“Who?” Maybe it was someone terrible, a criminal, or someone evil. Perhaps she would be doing the wolf a favor. Or, maybe this is someone that has simply crossed the king. Maybe his temper is deadly and he simply gets others to do his dirty work. He smirked at her.

“I like that, not asking why or asking for a different deal.” He sat down in a chair, sipping again at the scotch. “There is someone that has been a pain in my side for many years. And it's time that he got out of my way before something bad happens.” He sloshed the honey-colored liquid around the glass and Amelia relaxed some. “I need you to take down a man known as the Ace.”

Amelia had heard that name before. Ace was the most well-known rogue leader. The name is a reference to a deck of cards, Ace being higher than the King. Of course, the king wanted him gone, but the stories were that he was strong and no one knew who he really was. According to reports, his wolf was twice as big as the average warrior’s wolf, and his coat was as black as the night. The most elusive and dangerous rogue, one that had rallied many of them together almost as if they were in a pack all their own. The man had taken down several Alphas, and it was rumored that he was the god of the night himself.

“How do you expect me to do what so many people haven’t been able to?” She bit her lip, it would be hard, maybe too hard even for her. Of course, she would try. If she couldn’t do this, death wasn’t a bad second option.

“Abraham,” he called towards the door. It opened a second later, Abraham peeking his head in. “Go fetch the muzzle and the ring.” Whatever that was, Amelia did not like the sound of it. Abraham reclosed the door and she heard footsteps go down the hall.

“I’ll attempt it, I’m just not sure how you expect someone like me to defeat a shadow.” His eyes had a mischievous glimmer as he took another sip. Amelia pushed away from the wall and sat in the chair opposite of him.

“It’s not for you, well, the muzzle isn’t. It isn’t anything to worry about.” A few seconds later, Abraham entered the room and handed Eric a small box. “Thank you, please do make sure we don’t have any lingering ears or eyes for us.” And without another word, he was gone. Amelia couldn’t tear her eyes from the box.

It was smooth and wooden, just an ordinary box, but when he opened it, she realized that it was a jewelry box. A ring and a small bag sat inside. He pushed the box across the table and gestured for her to pick it up. “It’s a poison ring, one small movement and the contents of what is inside can be poured into a drink. The poison is completely tasteless.” She picked up the small drawstring bag and peeked inside. A powdered mix of green and something shining greeted her.

“It is not a painless concoction; it is a very valuable powder from a witch. Not enough to outright kill, but it can weaken even the strongest wolf. The ring itself is enchanted; it can suppress your aura to that of a mere omega.” She was speechless, she knew the Lycans knew the more powerful witches, which was one of the many reasons they were feared. They were the oldest of them all, and their ties with the covens ran through generations.

“And why are you showing this to me?” She set the bag down in the box, not wanting to touch the contents even by accident.

“I want you to use them, on the Ace.” She looked from him to the box, the ring was beautiful. “I am sure you can find a way to get close to him, get his guard down, and take his heart.”

“His heart?” She picked up the ring, running her fingers across the surface, an etching of the full moon carved into the brass metal.

“I want him dead and the proof you will need to bring me is his heart. It shouldn’t be hard.” And with that he took his last sip of scotch, setting the glass on the table and staring at her.

“And why not have someone from your pack or a real Omega do this? Why me?” She put the ring back, thinking about how it would feel to kill. Yes, he was a rogue, but it wasn’t a fight.

“Because you volunteered, you wanted to gain my trust, and I think you might just be his type.” He eyed her hungrily, and she felt her face flush. He meant for her to seduce the rogue!

“No,” Cerri said to her. “We must wait for our mate, we will find him.” She shook her head, ignoring the wolf, they would talk later.

“You want a spy, an assassin.” She kept her voice cool, if he knew of her reluctance she may not have any chance.

“I want someone that will get the job done. I don’t need some Omega that will have her head stuffed full of fairy tales. I don’t want some family throwing their daughter at the job to win my favor. I don’t need games, I need results. The person that is perfect for the job is the person that needs to succeed. That sounds like you.” He interlaced his fingers, it was seeming more like a business deal.

She was played, she thought that she had convinced him to help her and it was all a plan. He had been expecting her to ask, expecting her to promise anything. She had made a deal with the devil and there was no backing down now.

She stared him in the eye. “It does sound like me, what do I need to know?” He smiled in response.

“You know as much as you need to. Tomorrow morning, you will have transportation to a place close to the location we expect them to be. You will get in, find the Ace, and get his heart. I don’t care about the details. Become his soldier or his breeder, it doesn’t matter to me as long as you get close.” He yawned and stood up, indicating it was time for her to leave.

She took the box and stood as well but not moving from the spot in front of her chair. “How will I know that my father still lives? Seeing as that is my deadline.”

“You won’t unless he knows. I am sure they keep tabs on all the important families. Which is also why I expect you to change your appearance. Your hair color, your clothes, and your attitude will have to go. Become the Omega you need to play, I’m sure the Ace will not be kind enough to spare a spy. Don’t get caught and, in the case that you do, dump or swallow the powder yourself before they find it.” He closed the top of the box and guided her towards the door.

Her mouth was dry as she stepped outside the room. “Oh, and Amelia?” She turned around to look him in the eyes one last time.

“Be sure not to mention a word of this to anyone. No one really knows what kind of people they surround themselves with. I wouldn’t be surprised if you had spies among your pack.” And without another word, he closed the door on her. Abraham took his position back in front of the door. ]

She glared at him, clutching the box tight to her body as she made her way back to her room. She didn’t have much time to prepare for what she would need to do. “What did you agree to?” Cerri was not happy.

“I agreed to do what needed to be done. You would have agreed to the same.” Amelia replied, not fully sure she believed it herself.

“You did not-.“ Amelia didn’t hear anything else Cerri said after rounding the corner and smashing into someone. The edges of the box cut into her stomach and she looked up, it was Seth looking worried.